The aorta is the largest artery in our body, which brings blood from the heart and extends down through the stomach. The aortic valve is present within the aorta and the lower chamber of the heart on the left side. It opens up to let blood flow out of the heart and then closes to prevent the reversed flow of the blood into the heart.

Aortic valve diseases

Aortic valve diseases include aortic valve does not close properly, resulting in the backflow of blood into the heart narrowing of the aortic valve. Which appears in restriction of blood flow. The aortic valve defect may be present at birth or can be acquired at a later stage in life. In addition, acquired aortic valve diseases occur because of structural changes in the valve. This situation which can be caused by hypertension, tumours, radiation exposure, heart attack and connective tissue disorders.

Aortic valve disease is a situation in which the valve between the main pumping chamber of your heart and the main artery to your body or the aorta doesn’t work correctly. Also, aortic valve disease may be a condition present at birth like congenital heart disease or it may result from other causes. The early indications of aortic valve diseases include fatigue, swelling of ankles and irregular heartbeat. Besides, fainting, weakness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Surgery to Aorta or Aortic Surgery

Aortic surgery is done to repair the enlarged aorta (an aortic aneurysm), the aortic valve, the holes in aortic valves and to replace the aortic valves.

Aortic valve repair – It is done to treat leaking valves. Bicuspid aortic valve is repaired by reshaping the leaflets of the aortic valve such that the valve opens and closes completely.

An aortic aneurysm – An aortic aneurysm is the enlarged portion of the ascending region of the aorta. If the aorta is enlarged by 4 to 5 cm in diameter, it is replaced at the time of aortic valve repair.

Repair of tears of valve or holes – The surgeon sews the tears or holes on the valve leaflets with tissue patches.

Deciding about Aortic Surgery?

If your chronic regurgitation is getting worse and you have symptoms, you will likely have surgery. You might have surgery before you get symptoms, especially if your regurgitation is getting worse. If you have acute regurgitation, surgery will likely be done right away.

Valve replacement is recommended based on many things including how severe the stenosis is, whether you have symptoms, and how well your heart is pumping blood. It is typically recommended when a person has severe stenosis.

Even if valve replacement surgery is a success, you may have problems after surgery, such as:

An increased risk of blood clots. These can break off and cause a stroke or heart attack. To reduce the risk of blood clots, you will take a blood-thinning medicine.

A need for another replacement valve. This will depend on the type of valve you get and how long you live after you have the surgery.

Incomplete relief from symptoms. Some types of valves do not have openings as wide as a normal valve for a person your size. This can limit how well the valve works to relieve your symptoms.

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How is the surgery done?

During open-heart valve surgery, the doctor makes a large incision in the chest. Blood is circulated outside of the body through a machine to add oxygen to it (cardiopulmonary bypass or heart-lung machine). The heart may be cooled to slow or stop the heartbeat so that the heart is protected from damage while surgery is done to replace the valve with an artificial valve.

Your heart will be connected to a heart-lung (bypass) machine, and then you would get medication that will stop your heart. The aorta will be clamped to allow the surgeon to operate without any blood pumping through. The two main types of replacement valve are mechanical or tissue valves- you will choose the right replacement for you before the surgery, on the consultant’s advice.

After the aorta is opened, the surgeon will replace the damaged valve and will restart your heart with controlled electric shocks, before taking you off the bypass machine. The surgeon will close back your chest with dissolvable stitches.

You will recover in the hospital until you are healthy enough to go home. Depending on your overall health, you will likely go home a few days after surgery. Aortic surgery will likely involve a long recovery over several weeks. The wound takes about six to eight weeks to heal. You will probably need to take 4 to 12 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel. In some cases, full recovery may take several months.

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After the aorta is opened, the surgeon will replace the damaged valve and will restart your heart with controlled electric shocks, before taking you off the bypass machine. The surgeon will close back your chest with dissolvable stitches.

You will recover in the hospital until you are healthy enough to go home. Depending on your overall health, you will likely go home a few days after surgery. Aortic surgery will likely involve a long recovery over several weeks. The wound takes about six to eight weeks to heal. You will probably need to take 4 to 12 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel. In some cases, full recovery may take several months.

Cost of Aortic Surgery

This is a major operation and will be recommended only if you are fit for it. It’s performed under general anaesthetic and it usually takes about two hours. If you are paying for your own treatment, the cost of the operation will be explained and confirmed in writing when you book the operation.

Ask the hospital for a quote beforehand, and ensure that this includes the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital charge for your procedure. One of the ways to know the overall cost of this treatment is best to check with the hospital.

Who can help you with this cost

Contact our Life Insurance Planner who is familiar with the costs involved in different hospitals. Get in touch with us to understand the insurance coverage.
Be advised correctly. Call us today at +6012 684 0948.

Levine Lee is an expert AIA insurance agent and life planner. She has over 12 years of working experience with AIA and ING Insurance as an insurance agent and life planner.This makes her efficient and effective to manage clients for AIA Group Insurance Plans, AIA Life Insurance and AIA Takaful policies.Based in the Klang Valley in Malaysia, Levine serves her customers all over Malaysia, as they move between cities because of job changes.